Signal light switch



Jan. 10,1933. (3 DAL PORTO 1,894,163

S1GNAL LIGHT SWITCH Filed y 7. 1950 2 Sheets-Shee t 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Jan. 10, 1933. c. F. DAL PORTO SIGNAL LIGHT SWITCH Filed May 7, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 10, 1933 UNITED STATES CHARLES FRANCIS DAL PORTO, OF VALLEJO, CALIFORNIA SIGNAL LIGHT SWITCH Application filed May 7, 1930. Serial No. 450,534.

This invention relates to switches or circuit closers for operating circuits of direction signals of automobiles, an object being to provide means whereby the driver of an automobile may conveniently close either of the circuits of the signal, and means actuated by the movements of the steering wheel of the automobile to automatically restore the circuits to an opened position.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention further includes the following novel features and details of construction, to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevation illustrating a circuit closer constructed in accordance with the invention and shown in position for use.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the circuit closer with the cam sleeve in section.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the circuit closer illustrating the manner of restoring the switch arm to neutral position.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary bot-tom plan view, illustrating the circuit closer with the cover removed.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional View of the circuit closer per se.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts, the reference character 10 indicates a circuit closer which includes a casing 11. This circuit closer is designed to be arranged in juxtaposition to the steering wheel 12 of an automobile. For this purpose, the casing has extending therefrom curved arms 13 which are removably secured to an arcuate clamp 14, through the medium of bolts 15. The casing may thus be secured around the steering post 16 immediately beneath the wheel 12.

Mounted for pivotal movement within the casing 11 as shown at 17 is a switch arm 18'. This arm carries a spring contact 19 which is adapted to engage contacts 20 and 21 arranged in its path upon opposite sides of the switch arm. Movement of the switch arm 18 in either direction will thus close a circuit.

Mounted for sliding movement upon the casing 11 in a guide bracket 22 carried by said casing, is a slide plate 23. This plate has pivotally' secured thereto as shown at 24, the #5 inner ends of centering arms 25. The outer ends of these arms extend through and are guided in oppositely inclined slots 26 rovided in the casing 11 and carried at t eir inner ends rollers 27 which are adapted to 59 engage the arm 18 when the slide 23 is moved in one direction. Movement of the slide in this direction is yieldingly resisted by a spring 28 which has one of its ends secured to the plate 23 as shownat 29 and its opposite end secured to one end of the guide bracket 22. The inner end of the plate 23 carries an anti-friction roller 30 which is arranged in the path of a cam 31. This cam is carried by I a sleeve 32 which is mounted upon the steering post 16 and is secured to the steering wheel as indicated at 33.

Pivotal movement of the arm 18 in either direction will engage the contact 19 with either the contact 21 or the contact 20. Rotation of the steering wheel in either direction will cause the cam 31 to engage the anti-friction roller 30 at the inner end of the plate 23 so as to slide this plate outward from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 3. Outward movement of the plate 23 will cause the rollers 27 to move simultaneously inward so that one of these rollers (depending upon the direction of movement of the arm 18) will engage said arm and move it to its normal central position. The contact 19 will thus be disengaged from the contact 20 or 21, as the case may be.

The switch arm 18 is restored to its normally neutral position by the operation of the steering wheel as previously described. As shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, this arm 18 is provided with a finger piece extension 63 which may be moved into convenient position relative to the steering wheel 12 and held in such position by an adjusting screw 64. l

The invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportions and minor details of construction and the right is herein reserved to make such changes as properly fall within the scope of the appended claim.

Having described the invention what is 5 claimed is:

In a circuit closer, a casing adapted for connection with asteering post of an automobile, a manually operated switch arm movably mounted in said casing, a contact 10 member carried by said arm, spaced stationary contacts located in the path of the arm carried contact, a spring resisted plate slidingly mounted upon the casing, centering arms having their inner ends pivotally se- 15 cured to said plate, means engaged'by the outer ends of the arms to move the latter simultaneously inward to engage the switch arm and move the arm carried contact to neutral position When the plate is moved against 29 the action of its spring,v and means to move the plate. 4 p I v In testimony- Whereof I affix mysignature.

CHARLES F. DAL POBTOL 

